Buttercup vs KeePassDX
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Buttercup | KeePassDX |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 15 · At risk | 91 · Excellent |
| Status | Archived | Actively maintained |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | Kotlin |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 4,388 | ★ 7,355 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | 1Password, LastPass | 1Password, LastPass |
What are Buttercup and KeePassDX?
Buttercup
Buttercup is a free, open-source password manager available for desktop, mobile and browsers. Vaults are stored in an encrypted format and can sync through Dropbox, WebDAV, Google Drive or local files.
- Encrypted vaults with multiple backends
- WebDAV and cloud storage sync
- Browser extensions for autofill
- Cross-platform desktop and mobile apps
KeePassDX
KeePassDX is a free and open-source password manager for Android that is compatible with KeePass KDBX databases. It offers a modern Material interface, biometric unlock and form auto-fill.
- KDBX-compatible Android client
- Biometric and fingerprint unlock
- Auto-fill service integration
- Material design interface
Buttercup vs KeePassDX: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while KeePassDX is actively maintained. Buttercup is written in TypeScript, while KeePassDX is built with Kotlin. KeePassDX is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for Buttercup. Buttercup is the more established project (first released 2015), while KeePassDX arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose Buttercup if…
- Flexible storage options
- Clean modern UI
Watch out for
- Sync relies on third-party storage
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttercup or KeePassDX better?
Neither is universally better. KeePassDX has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Buttercup and KeePassDX free and open-source?
Yes. Buttercup is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KeePassDX under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Buttercup and KeePassDX with Docker?
Buttercup: check the project docs for container support. KeePassDX: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Buttercup or KeePassDX?
KeePassDX has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for Buttercup. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.